Blackberry Faces Ban in Nigeria

Blackberry services could be at risk of being banned in the country as a new regulation by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, will run counter to the technical operating standards of the phone’s distinct network. Our source gathered yesterday that the telecoms regulator was working on a regulation, which would make it mandatory for any licensee in the nation’s telecoms market to provide access to its communications facilities for necessary interception by the law enforcement agencies.

To be called ‘Lawful interception of communications regulations”, the regulation, which is currently at the draft stage, is based on the need to provide a legal and regulatory framework for the lawful interception of communications in Nigeria and the collection and disclosure of intercepted communication.

It will also specify the nature and types of communications to be intercepted; prescribe penalties for noncompliance with the regulations; provide a notification to the commission of all warrants issued, amended, renewed or cancelled under the regulations as well as ensure the privacy of subscribers as contained in the Nigerian constitution. It was gathered that Section 13 of the regulation Protected or Encrypted Communications will run counter to the technical operations of Blackberry.
By their designs and unlike other mobile devices, Blackberry messages are encrypted and where criminal investigation is required, the law enforcement agents will face denial of access to Blackberry network.
The NCC’s current move was in line with strategic measures of the Federal Government to ensure maximum national security by providing a legal framework that empowers the law enforcements agencies to access any licensed communication network in the country.

Source